Wu Video Cites Likely Last Vote, Gives No Date for Resignation

Rep. David Wu (D-Ore.), who announced last week that he would step down "effective upon the resolution of the debt-ceiling crisis," released a video Monday to explain his vote in support of the $2.1 trillion deal to extend the nation's borrowing authority.

"This is a crucial vote," Wu said in the video, indicating that it was recorded before the vote. "It is likely to be my last vote, and I want to thank the people of Oregon for giving me this — this seat in Congress temporarily, which is the greatest honor that an immigrant child can ever have or any person in America can ever have."

The video did not make any clearer when Wu would resign. The Oregonian reported that neither Gov. John Kitzhaber (D) nor the U.S. House Clerk's office had received a resignation letter.

Wu announced his intention on July 26, just four days after the Oregonian reported that the seven-term Democrat had been accused of sexual misconduct. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) had called for an ethics investigation into the accusations, which were made just months after he exhibited erratic behavior that stretched at least as far back as the 2010 elections.

Six staffers and his top political consultants all left him following that election. When reports surfaced detailing his behavior last fall, Wu said he acted inappropriately with staff, including when he distributed a picture of himself dressed in a tiger costume.

He will be the fourth House Member to resign this Congress and the third to do so amid scandal.

Kitzhaber will be tasked with calling a special election to replace Wu. If it is scheduled within 80 days of when the resignation becomes official, the parties would nominate their candidates and no primary would be held. If it is scheduled after 80 days or more, a primary would be held before the special general election.